You might be here because of a few Christmas cards I gave out to people (wrapped in gold ribbon with a small chocolate). I mostly gave them out to retail workers or delivery drivers as a way to say ‘thank you’ at this very busy time of year. I’ve worked in retail, and I know how thankless and crazy the job can be, especially at Christmas! It was just a small token of appreciation, but I hope it brought a little joy to your shift.
I ummed and ahhed about adding my personal website to the bottom of the card. In previous years I’ve given similar cards out anonymously, but I thought I’d take the opportunity to let you explore some of the meaning behind the card’s message.
‘How Many Kings’
The card includes some lyrics from a Christmas song called ‘How Many Kings’ (by Downhere). There’s a QR code to watch it being sung on YouTube, but if you haven’t had chance to scan that yet, here is the video:
I think this is such a beautiful song, and I hope you enjoyed listening to it. I find the words particularly powerful as they tell of the great love story – the catalyst for our Christmas celebrations – and what it means for us all today.
Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?
‘Cause how many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Bringing our gifts for the newborn Saviour
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honour, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross He will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we’ve waited for?
How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
A love story
This song speaks of a great love: it’s a father’s love for his lost children; a creator’s love for his broken creation; a healer’s love for his hurting friends. It’s the moment heaven touched earth when Jesus, as God, came to live with us and ultimately to die for us.
If you’d like to read the story of that first Christmas in the Bible, two of Jesus’s disciples wrote about it in their books:
Behind the lyrics
Here’s a breakdown of some of the lyrics and what meaning they have for us.
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl
The Bible tells us that Jesus, as the ‘Son’ in the Godhead, was heaven’s answer to a centuries-old problem. The world was groaning and crying out for relief, and God’s people (the Israelites) had been waiting for him to fulfil his promise and send them a saviour. This particular point in history felt oppressive to the Jews as they lived under Roman rule, and they were hoping for someone great to liberate them. They certainly weren’t expecting a baby born in squalor!
Jesus could have come with all his might and power, but he humbled himself to experience human life from the weakest and most vulnerable of beginnings. His saving strength would be shown later in life.
How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
Jesus chose to give up all the splendour of heaven for the agonies of earth. Of course, there is beauty, love and friendship here, and he experienced the wonderful side of humanity alongside the pain, but even our most glorious corner of the world doesn’t compare to the richness of eternity.
He was a king, a lord, a great…! And he gave it all up for you and for me.
Philippians 2:6-8 says: “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
It really was an act of love. He poured out his heart and romanced us by giving up everything for our gain.
Christianity often gets a bad press because of negative experiences with churches or people who claim to be Christians, or due to a skewed perspective of the Bible. We’re all human and we make mistakes, and we don’t show love to each other as we should. But true Christians want to be like Jesus – to be humble, self-sacrificial, loving, compassionate, giving – because they have experienced his love first-hand!
He is where we can find ultimate fulfilment in relationship. He’ll never hurt us or let us down.
Gold for his honour, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross He will suffer
Did you know that the wise men’s gifts had specific meaning? Gold marked his kingship, frankincense acknowledged that he was someone worth worshipping (as it was ceremonially used in the temple) and myrrh foretold his crucifixion. Collectively, these gifts recognised Jesus’ deity and purpose on earth, given by ‘Gentile’ people outside of God’s family who mapped out the skies to find him.
Do you believe?
We don’t need to follow a star to find Jesus. All you have to do is believe he is who he says he is, and follow him.
“…we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.” 1 John 4:14-16
Keep exploring and happy Christmas!
If you’re interested in exploring more, feel free to read more articles on this site. I speak a lot about how God has worked in my life.
And I’d encourage you to read the Bible – you can read it for free on Bible Gateway or you can download the You Version app on your phone. I particularly like the New Living Translation (NLT) for readability, but the New International Version (NIV) is also good.
My church also has a lot of resources on its website, to help you explore Christianity further. Have a look! You’d also be very welcome to come to a service or event.
Happy Christmas! I hope you enjoy time with family and friends, and that you’re able to take in something of the greater meaning behind the festivities.
